Not-for-Profit Professional
Experience Highlights

Decades of Experience Serving Not-for-Profit Organizations

  • Implemented provisions of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, “Not-for-Profit Organizations” and other financial accounting standards relating to NFP organizations.
  • Attend AICPA National Conferences on Not-for-Profit Organizations, annually since 1993.
  • Presented sessions at annual Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) Not-for-Profit Conferences:
    • Not-for-Profit Financial Reporting – Common Errors, Best Practices, New Developments; June 2006
    • Developed panel, presented with Michael Bangser, Exec. Dir., Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, The Shared Responsibilities of Independent Accountant, Audit Committee and Grantors. June 2003
  • Presented seminars on accounting, financial reporting, tax and fiduciary issues affecting not-for-profits,
    • American Institute of CPAs (AICPA): Special Events – Accounting and Tax compliance – 2009;
    • National Business Institute: Form 990; other NFP topics, 2013, 2015;
    • Lorman Educational: Public Charities and Private Foundations; other NFP topics, 1998-2008, 2013;
    • CT Nonprofits (The Alliance): Not-for-Profit Financial Management Fundamentals, 2008-2010, 2014.
  • Philanthropy articles for newsletters, including New Britain, Hartford and Jewish community foundations, United Way of Capital Region and UBS PRIME Asset Consulting.
  • Created community Opportune Philanthropy® projects, e.g., CIGNA, Pfizer; Stanley Works, Aetna/ING, Conn. Bancshares – Hartford, Bausch & Lomb – Rochester, Roadway-Akron, Willamette – Portland, OR.
triangle new

Education

  • Yale College, B.A. Cum Laude with Distinction in Economics
  • University of Hartford – Courses in M.S. in Taxation program
  • Certified Public Accountant
triangle new

Professional History

  • Adam P. Cohen CPA, LLC – Sole Member (2001 – present)
  • Blum Shapiro & Company, P.C. – (1981 – 2000); Partner (1989 – 2000)
    Created and led Not-for-Profit Industry Practice – accounting, audit, tax and consulting
  • Price Waterhouse & Co. (1977 – 1980)
  • University of Hartford, A.D. Barney School of Business – Adjunct Instructor in Graduate Program – Not-for-Profit Financial Reporting (2001) Professional Organizations and Activities
triangle new

 Associations

  • Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) (1981 – current)
  • AICPA National Not-for-Profit Organizations Conference Planning Committee and presenter (2008 – 2009)
  • Fellow of Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) (1980 – current) Chair of Not-for-Profit Committee, 2005-2006; Co-Chair Not-for-Profit Conferences, 2002, 2004, 2017.
  • Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, Inc. Chair of Audit Committee (2016- current); Member (2014 – current) Chair of Legal and Tax Panel (1999 – 2008); Member (1997 – current)
  • Estate and Business Planning Council of Hartford (2002 – current), Board of Directors (2005 – 07; 2013-15)
  • Jewish Family Service of Greater Hartford – Board member + Audit committee (2018 – current and 1981 – 1987)
  • Mark Twain House & Museum – Member Investment Committee (2012 – current)
  • Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Ambassador (2016 – current); Professional Advisors Committee (2000- 2003) Catalyst Society (1995 – 2010), Steering Committee (1997 – 2003)
  • Hebrew Senior Care, Inc. (formerly Hebrew Health Care): Corporator (2009- current) Trustee, (1994 – 2008) Executive Committee and Chair of Audit Committee (1997 – 2006)
  • Oak Hill Foundation – Member Investment Committee (2008 – 2021); Board of Directors (2015 – 2021)
  • Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, CT Member of Planned Giving (1998 – 2005) and Investment Committees (1998 – 2005, and 2016 – present) Trustee, Treasurer and Chair of Budget Committee (1987 – 1995)
  • Dwight Hall at Yale – Secretary, Chair of Audit Comm. (2009 – 2013) Board of Directors (2008 – 2013)
  • Yale Slifka Center for Jewish Life – Finance (including Audit) Committee (2000 – 2009)
  • Riverfront Recapture – Bulkeley Bridge Centennial Rededication Committee (2008)
  • Connecticut Council for Philanthropy – Professional Advisors Committee, Charter member (2000 – 2003)